There'll be no parade, concert or fireworks for Twin Cities Pride Weekend this year, but there's still a celebration to mark the 52nd year since the Stonewall Riots in New York kicked off the gay rights movement.
Once state COVID-19 restrictions relaxed in May, Twin Cities pride organizers scheduled the festival for July 17-18, a month after its usual mid-June dates, to ensure time to organize in a safe way, given rising vaccination numbers, said festival executive director Dot Belstler.
Last year's virtual festivities didn't "work for Pride," she added, but they're expecting crowds this year: "People need to see each other and hug each other and be part of the action."
Belstler encourages people to attend smaller Pride events if they feel more comfortable — or not go at all if they are feeling sick, because "we're not going to be a superspreader event."
"I am just really looking forward to seeing people again, being able to hug people and say, 'Oh, I missed you,' " she said.
Here's a look at what's happening around the Twin Cities for Pride Weekend.
Twin Cities Pride Festival: The 49th annual festival will take place at its standard Loring Park location with about 250 vendors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There will be a beer garden but fewer food vendors than usual. Performances at the Loring Park stage will include jingle dancers and a Native American performance group but have been scaled back this year. Organizers partnered with health organizations to offer coronavirus vaccines to participants who want them. (1382 Willow St., Minneapolis, tcpride.org)
Pride Beer Dabbler: There will be samplings from more than 65 local breweries and live music Friday at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden across from Loring Park. 5:30 p.m. Friday, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, $50, beerdabbler.com)
